DVD- recorder Philips DVDR3355

We present the sequential recorder, based on the multifunctional chip DiMeNsion-2. It is obvious that the use of this popular chip, which corresponds almost for all functions of recorder, limits the possibilities of developers, who desire to create original product. However, design, chart technology solution and software (piercing) remain in their authority, and this can influence to much. By the way, is an even more analogous model - DVDR3365, augmented by USB- entrance, that knowing how to reproduce files MP3 and JPG from USB- accumulators and cards -riderov.

Certified technical characteristics

Record on	Dvd- r, DVD+.R, Dvd-rw, DVD+.RW
Video outputs
Composite	+
S- video	+
Signals in joint SCART (EXT1):
- composite	+
.S- video	no
-.RGBS	+
Signals in joint SCART (EXT2):
- composite	+
.S- video	no
-.RGBS	no
Component	no
Trans-coder Ntsc- fall	+ (complete, bidirected, not disconnected)
Video TSAP	54 MGts/y0 of the bits
Video inputs
Composite	+ (frontal)
S- video	+ (frontal)
Signals into joint SCART (EXT1):
- composite	+
.S- video	no
-.RGBS	no
Signals into joint SCART (EXT2):
- composite	+
.S- video	no
-.RGBS	no
digital DV (i.LINK/IEEE1394)	+ (frontal, 4-X- contact)
Audiovykhody
Analog stereo-output	+ (3 pcs: 1x2 RCA + 2xSccART)
Multichannel (5.1) analog	no
Electrical (coaxial) digital	+
Optical digital	no
Built-in decoder DD/DTS	it +/net
Audio TSAP	96 kGts/2ya of the bits
Audiovkhody
Analog stereo-entrance	+ (3 pcs: 1x2 RCA + 2xSccART)
Joints for the maps of the memory	no
the TV- tuner	HF coaxial (75 Ohm) entrance and through output, PAL, SECAM, NTSC, NICAM, VHF/UHF
Sizes, Sh.khV.khG (mm)	435x65x285
Weight (kg)	3,85
Price (rekomendovannaya retail)	7990 rubles
Reference to the site of the producer	www.consumer.philips.com

Outside

Designers, who developed the exterior view of this recorder, tried to get rid of the sharp it was angular: the upper and lower edges of front panel are round offed on the maximum, the ends of the elongated buttons and the angles of other elements are executed along a radius, and button RECORD and completely round.

However, in the center of front panel into entire its width was lengthened semi-transparent specular insert - where without it in the contemporary equipment?! Display of small and not not very informative.

In the right lower part of the front panel there is the cover, which hides frontal joints.

Remaining joints - on the rear panel. There is no component output, i.e., there is no progressive development.

On the panel DU in ordered numbers tightly were arranged small knopochki.

Even looking at the panel, you do not immediately find necessary button what to already speak about the presence by feel. Then panel outwardly supports the concept of the design of front panel with its roundedness in all, yes even at the hand it lies conveniently.

Inside

The electronic components of recorder in essence are located on two pays: these are - high pay with the power unit and the external interfaces and the pay a little less, on which are placed more intellectual components.

Main chip in the recorder is the popular mul'timediynyy processor Dmn-8602 from LSI Logic. It bears bagainstthe l'shuyu part of the functional load, in particular, it codes in MPEG2, decodes Mpeg2- MPEG4- flows, it allows several types of interfaces for the work with the outlying devices; are also in it integrated videoTsAPy. For the analog-to-digital conversion of video signal and its decoding answers microcircuit L2146 also from LSI Logic.

This microcircuit can process component color difference and RGB- video signals. We did not begin to investigate recorder to the last screw; therefore it remained unexplained, what chips are used for the input-output of analog sound (TSAP, ATSP amplifiers) and decoding NICAM. With the method of tv programs low-frequency video signal comes from Hf- assembling Tmqz2-40б.

Localization

Recorder is markirovan as DVD-pleer shch-oy zone. There is sufficiently detailed and competent operating instructions in the Russian language. Screen menu are transferred in the Russian, and transfer this not bad, although the blemishes are encountered, yes even reductions there are very many.

The strange confidence of translators, that Title (in the description of the structure of disk) should be transferred as the "name" it can tangle the user, unknown with the terminology. Of course by places Title it is nevertheless transferred as "record", which is much nearer according to the sense, but is done this not everywhere. For example, in the menu of the editing of the record by "substitutes name" (Overwrite Title) one should change on the "substitutes record". Recorder correctly reflects cyrillic alphabet in the names it is file and folders, unfortunately, the localization did not reach to Russian TEG in files MP3 and subtitles to MPEG4- films: they are reflected by abrakadabroy from the extended roman alphabet.

Functionality

Mul'tiformatnyy pleyer

Results of tests for the compatability:

Playback MP3 (8-320 kbit/s and VBR, 16-48 kHz)	+ *
Playback WMA	no
Survey JPG	+
Playback is file Mpeg-4 (DivX 3..x, 4..x, 5..x, Xvid)	+
Playback is file Mpeg-1/2	+
Playback VCD/SVCD	+
Support of the mul'tisessionnykh disks	+
Support Mixed Mode CD	+ (only data)
Support CD Extra	+ (only data)
* depends on the relationship of bitreyt/the frequency

Size of the data	Type of the carrier
	Cd-rum- r -rw	Dvd- rum -.R/+.R/+.RSH
JPG	+	+
MP3	+	+
Mpeg-4	+	+
DVD- video (Mpeg-2)	no	+

The part of the functions is caused directly by pressure on the appropriate buttons of panel, but in essence for interaction with the user large text- graphic menu answer. The level of the investment of the latter in the majority of the cases does not exceed the second. Losing DVD- video, recorder behaves as usual DVD-pleer, developers added no interesting functions.

Contents of disks with the mul'timediynymi files recorder reflects with the aid of one list on the left side of the screen, in which are located the files and folders in the current folder. List in the right side of the screen - this is the list of reproduction, comprised by user.

In the regime alliteration the disk recorder loses all files on the disk, independently passing from folder to folder, in the random order they are lost files only from the current folder. In the case of MP3- they are file there is a familiarizing regime - the playback of first 9 s it is file, that are located in the current folder.

The rapid rewinding MP3- it is file works, the minimum pause between MP3- tracks is approximately 2 seconds. The part of the information from TEG ID3 (only v.2) is reflected line-by-line in the rectangle under the lists it is file. Navigation on the disk is functionally isolated from the reproduction it is file MP3. pictures it is possible to examine in the regime of slide- show with the tuned interval and the effect of passage, and even under the music, if we preliminarily neglect MP3- files. JPG- file by size 3967 on 2642 pikseley recorder reflected.

For testing of the ability of recorder to reproduce video files we used a number of test disks, including DivXTestccD v1 and v2.0. the recorder knows how to lose MPEG1 and MPEG2 files (with expansion MPG) and MPEG4- files in containers AVI and DivX (Microsoft MPEG4 (DivX e..khkh so forth.) and MPEG4 ASP (XviD, DivX4, DivX5, DivX6 and so forth.)). Are supported Bframes and partially GMC, files with Qpel recorder does not lose. Recorder will recognize and reproduces the sonic flow in MPEG4- files, if it is present in sizes MP3 (2.0) and AC3 (5.1); in the case of several audiopotokov it is possible to be switched between them.

Recorder supports the external text subtitles (SMI, SRT, SUB, SAA) and build it container DivX. Text file with the subtitles must be selected before the starting of video file to the playback.

Desynchronization, or more precisely the delay of subtitles from the sound, it can reach 0,5 s, however, there is nothing terrible in this. Files with the high resolution (1280 on 720 and 1920 to 1088) recorder does not lose. With playback MPEG4- it is file it works rapid rewinding.

The detailed results of testing with the aid of disks DivXTestccD v1 and v2.0 are carry ouied to the separate page.

Testing the video circuit

Bright clearness (TVL)
Composite	540	Very well
S- video	more than 540	It is excellent
Scart-rgbs	more than 540	It is excellent
Color clearness (TVL)
Composite	100	It is good
S- video	120	Very well
Scart-rgbs	more than 270	It is excellent

Projector Sanyo Z3, with the aid of which we tested SccART-RGBS- signal, for some reason refused to work with the sync signal from joint SCART, it was necessary to take it from the composite output of recorder. The quality of picture is good: bright and color clearness high, color correct, there are no artifacts with the reproduction of test tables and fragments of films, the thin gradations of nuances are well distinguished both in the lights and in the shadows. Trans-coder complete bidirected, but not disconnected, this means that all disks will show either in PAL or in NTSC, depending on the value of the parameter in the menu of installations.

Testing the channel

Testiruyemaya chain: D-Yes- disk, 16 bits of 44 kHz, stereo, analog output = > the linear entrance e-mu 1820
Operating mode: 16 bits of 44 kHz

Nonuniformity ACHKH (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:	+0.04, -0.30	Very well
Level of noise, dB (A):	-95.6	It is excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A):	95.5	It is excellent
Harmonic distortions, %:	0.0009	It is excellent
Intermodulation distortions + noise, %:	0.0064	It is excellent
Interpenetration of channels, dB:	-95.1	It is excellent
Intermodulation on 10 kHz, %:	0.0062	It is excellent

General estimation: It is excellent (detailed report).

With reproduction Cd- yes by interface S/PDIF the recorder transmits data one- odin-v-odin -one with those recorded on the disk; therefore results testing this audiovykhoda we do not bring. As showed testing with the aid of the the test Cd- yes and programs RMAA, analog audiovykhod works very and very well.

Testiruyemaya chain: MP3 320 kbit/s, 16 bits of 44 kHz, stereo, S/PDIF- output/yield - > entrance e-mu1820
Operating mode: 16 bits of 44 kHz

Nonuniformity ACHKH (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:	+0.10, -0.29	Very well
Level of noise, dB (A):	-95.9	It is excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A):	95.7	It is excellent
Harmonic distortions, %:	0.0009	It is excellent
Intermodulation distortions + noise, %:	0.010	Very well
Interpenetration of channels, dB:	-98.5	It is excellent
Intermodulation on 10 kHz, %:	0.0051	It is excellent

General estimation: It is excellent (detailed report).

Testiruyemaya chain: MP3 320 kbit/s, 16 bits of 44 kHz, stereo, analog output - > entrance e-mu1820
Operating mode: 16 bits of 44 kHz

Nonuniformity ACHKH (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB:	+0.15, -0.62	It is good
Level of noise, dB (A):	-94.9	Very well
Dynamic range, dB (A):	94.8	Very well
Harmonic distortions, %:	0.0013	It is excellent
Intermodulation distortions + noise, %:	0.012	Very well
Interpenetration of channels, dB:	-94.3	It is excellent
Intermodulation on 10 kHz, %:	0.0087	Very well

General estimation: Very well (detailed report).

The compressed sound the recorder manages on excellently - it decodes MP3 almost also well as codec LAME.

the TV- tuner

The sensitivity of tuner is average, then the quality of picture in the case of a sufficient signal level excellent. The picture of our stationary television set JVC, accepted as the standard, contains only more color noise, than the picture of recorder, but on the clearness they do not be inferior to each other. Also the image, obtained from the recorder, is somewhat more contrasting, and colors appear more brightly.

Personnel of television fragments. To the left: source - composite output of television set JVC. Cprava: source - the composite output of recorder Philips DVDR3355. pictures they refer to the complete personnel.

Recorder decodes stereo sound in size NICAM.

DVD- recorder

For the record of video image on this recorder it is possible to use 4 types of ingots: Dvd-r/+.r, Dvd-rw/+.rw. to write it is possible both from the external sources and from the built-in TV- tuner. Pressure on button REC begins the record of the current image (source it is selected by button REC SOURCE) with the quality (button REC MODE ) selectedpreviously to ingot, which is located in the recorder (if it it approaches, certainly). In this regime it writes recorder, until there is where to write, or until user will press to STOP. Also it is possible by the subsequent pressures on button REC to establish the timer of turning off of record (with a step of 30 min). Alternative method - this is record according to the timetable. In the comprised timetable it can be to eight lines.

Facilitate the introduction of task can the function of the decoding of code ShowView. Are supported functions VPS and PDC, which track after the fact, so that the program would be recorded even with the changes in the timetable of channel, but this not is urgent for Russia. Record according to the timetable begins from the standby mode, if directly before the planned record recorder does not be in this state, then the warning communication is placed on screen.

Let us note that with the prolonged interruptions in the nourishment, the recorder discards hours, which is predicted, since small battery inside we did not reveal.

The regimes of record by 4, they are designated in accordance with the quantity it is hour, which can be written down to clean DVD- ingot:

Regime	Average bitreyt of test fragments (sound + image), Mbit/s	Bitreyt of audiopotoka, kbit/s	Permission
1H	9,7	384	720x576
2H	4,7	256	720x576
4H	2,5	256	352x576
6H	1,9	192	352x576

The quality of record in these regimes can be estimated according to the given below personnel (record it were conducted according to S-Video- interface from the the external DVD-pleera on Dvd- r).

1H and 2H


4H and 6H

Miniatures refer to the complete personnel.

The quality of the record of image in regime 1H is very good. In regime 2H on the large screens one can see well the artifacts of compression. Regimes 4H and 6H us somewhat astonished, since the quality of the dynamic picture, recorded in 6H, is noticeably better than in regime 4H, and this was checked on several fragments of test record. It turns out that to use regime 4H makes sense in such a case, when it is necessary to write down long fragment with a good sound, since bitreyt of the sonic flow in this regime is higher than in 6H.

Should be noted the high quality of the numbering of video signal from S- video entrance: in regime 1H bright clearness is 540 TVL, color - almost 140 TVL, micro-contrast high, and color reproduction correct.

The recorded on the recorder disks it is possible on it ogranichenno to edit (disks of single record - to the finalization). The part of the functions is caused from the main menu of the recorded disk,

part - from the contextual menu, which is placed on screen by button EDIT, during the reproduction of fragment.

Some functions are accessible only for the records on the rerecorded disks, for example, to divide zap. (Split Title), which divides record (Title) into two parts in the current place.

Conclusions

Philips DVDR3355 - mul'tiformatnyy DVD- recorder from the well-known company, which has the characteristic rounded off design and which possesses, in general, by common for such apparatuses set of functions. Exterior view, the stamp and merits enumerated below can contribute to the selection of this recorder, as the domestic recorder by video, especially if it is planned to exploit it in the places with the cable television or the confident method of TV- programs.

Merits:

· The high quality of analog audiovykhoda

· The high quality of the TV- picture

· Excellent quality of the numbering of the video image

Deficiencies:

· Average sensitivity of the TV- tuner

· Quality MPEG2- coding in regime 4H than lower expected

· Not very Convenient Panel DU